Crowdfunding Alternatives: Why you don't need to follow the crowd

Funding for you business without the risks and uncertainties of crowdfunding

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Choice

All types of finance

No Maximum loan size

Monthly repayments

No loss of control

Affordable

Interest roll-up schemes

Adverse Credit – no problem

Rates from 2% above base rate

Faster funding for you

Versatile

Funds for any legal purpose

Up to 100% Loan to Value available

Land purchase or refinance up to 70% of value

Startups or established business

Talk to Rangewell – the business finance experts

As business funding experts we know all the ways to raise the funds you need - and the providers who can offer them. That's why, if you are not sure of the type of funding we can help find the solutions that are right for you and your business.

Crowdfunding is becoming a recognised way of securing investment – but is it right for your business?

There are two types of crowdfunding that can let you raise funds for your business.

Investment Crowdfunding – also known as Equity Crowdfunding – involves seeking small investments from a large number of people, who will receive a small number of shares in return. This is, in effect selling, shares in your business.

Loan-based Crowdfunding is also known as Peer-to-Peer Lending, and will require you to make regular repayments, much like a conventional loan.

They can both provide funding for startups, but they can also have some drawbacks, and it is important to understand the challenges:

If you have no prior trading record, you may not be able to generate enough interest from investors, which can mean that you fail to meet your targets.

If you have a revolutionary product or business idea, you may get the interest you need, but your idea may go into the public realm, running the risk that a competitor might use it.

Raising sufficient funds depends on attracting hundreds of lenders. This means that raising the funds you need can take considerable time – or you may find that you cannot interest sufficient investors, leaving you with a funding shortfall.

If you are looking at Crowdfunding, it is essential that you are aware of these negatives, and that you consider the other ways of raising the funds you need.

What are the alternatives to Crowdfunding?

The traditional source of business funding is the bank. The main high street banks (RBS, HSBC, Lloyds, Barclays, Santander) may be facing some stiff challenges, but they are still an important factor in the lending market.

However, with regulatory red tape meaning that arranging any bank loan will take weeks to set up, many business borrowers seek alternative providers simply because of time pressures. Banks may also find it difficult to lend to start-ups, which lack accounts and other evidence of a proven business model.

Challenger banks

Changes to regulatory policy have made it easier for new banks to enter the market. These ‘challenger banks’ may have simpler application requirements with reduced paperwork, compared with traditional banks. They are usually able to move more quickly on making a decision – and may have more flexible lending rules than the established high street banks.

Digital-only banks and online lenders

Digital-only banks recognise that most of us are adopting digital channels for most of our banking needs, and are developing innovative technology including mobile apps to deliver a full range of online banking services.

While Digital banks offer a full banking service, online lenders specialise in online lending. Both have an innovative approach which can offer some important advantages when you are applying for funding, such as a very fast decision process. Some will allow you to support your application by uploading documents electronically, and by allowing access to online records. With smaller loans, some online lenders offer to put funds in your business bank account on the same day that you apply.

Specialised lenders can provide loans to businesses that might not meet the criteria of mainstream business lenders. If you are a startup with no business history, have an adverse credit record or work in a sector with unusual funding needs, a specialist lender may be able to provide a solution.

Merchant Cash Advances can provide cash advances based on future card sales. They can be ideal for retail businesses with a high number of low-value transactions. Repayments are made for you as a proportion of every card payment you take.

Invoice Financing can unlock the cash in your invoices, especially if you have large outstanding invoices and established clients. The lender effectively buys your unpaid invoices, giving you cash straight away. Once your customer pays, you get the remaining balance minus the lender’s fee.

Why you need our help

There are many alternatives to Crowdfunding that could provide the solution to your funding needs, but you may need help find the solution that is best for you.

Some lenders specialise in providing loans for particular business sectors. Others may concentrate on a particular business need, such as those of startups and newly launched businesses. Finding the right type of lending and the right provider is essential.

At Rangewell, we work across the entire lending market, and we know the lenders who can offer the most appropriate solutions for the various business needs, and for businesses working in various sectors. Our expertise can help you secure the funding you need at the most competitive costs.

REAL EXAMPLES OF WHAT WE CAN DO

Find a lender to provide £5,000 for a company that had only been in business for three months

Source a £3500 loan to replace a lift for a local garage

Set up funding for a business that was already in a Creditors Voluntary Agreement

Find a small company a loan at a rate 50% lower than its owner could source himself

Find a Merchant Cash Advance arrangement for a small dress shop

Why you should call us now

Getting the loan you want can sometimes mean paying more than you need – unless you get expert support.

To find out more about the most appropriate type of funding for your small business, simply call us at Rangewell. Our experts can talk you through the options, help you find the lenders with the most competitive rates, and help you apply – and our service is free.

We needed funds to launch, but crowdfunding would have taken months. Rangewell found us lenders who would advance us the money.

We needed to raise cash fast. With a loan, we had the money we needed the same day. Crowdfunding can't do that.

We simply didn't have the kind of revolutionary business plans that attract crowdfunding.

Helping you build your profits

The money you need, fast

Crowdfunding can take weeks and months of work, and offers no guarantee of success. At Rangewell, we can find funding solutions that bring the cash you need quickly.

Easy applications

Many lenders can accept online applications. They may want to see accounts and projections, but you will not need the long and costly campaign required with crowdfunding.

Expertise behind you

Raising any kind of finance demands knowledge, connections and expertise. At Rangewell, we put an expert team behind your application.

Flexible repayment terms

There are many funding solutions available, which ensures that repayments can be scheduled around your business plans and revenue streams.

Alternative loans at any scale

There are finance solutions for all funding needs. You can apply for a small sum with an unsecured loan, or a large strategic loan secured on your assets.

Knowing the lenders to approach

Some alternative lenders specialise in particular business sectors. At Rangewell, we can help you find the most appropriate lenders for your business.

Case Studies

Download Rangewell’s free and detailed guide to The Alternatives to Crowdfunding

What kinds of lending are there?

What are the costs of Alternative Lending?

What choices do I have?

Why type of funding is best for my business?

What are the restrictions?

The downsides of borrowing

Paperwork you need to provide with your application

Key terms to check

Available in ePub, mobi, and PDF

The costs of alternative funding

Some types of Crowdfunding are equity investments that do not need to be repaid. However, most other types of business funding mean set repayments, meaning that your business must generate sufficient funds.

Your credit rating may be affected

Your personal, as well as your business credit rating may be affected with some types of funding.

You may need a Secured Loan

Your loan may need to be secured, and your home or other assets may need to be used to provide the security. This means that they could be at risk if your business cannot make the repayments.

Our service is...

Impartial

Transparent and independent, treating all lenders equally, finding the best deals.

In-depth

Every type of finance for every type of business from the entire market - over 300 lenders.

In-person

Specialist Finance Experts support you every step of the way.

Free

We make no charge of any kind when we help you find the loan you need.

Rangewell helps UK firms and their advisors find, compare and apply for business finance. Rangewell only provide services to limited companies based in the UK. If you are not a limited company please do not apply for finance via this website. Rangewell do not provide finance ourselves, we introduce businesses to business finance providers based on what they tell us their financing requirements are as well as their what they tell us about their circumstances, future plans and creditworthiness. Terms and conditions apply and guarantees and Indemnities may be required by the finance providers we introduce.

Rangewell Limited is a registered company in England and Wales (Company Number 09362490). Our registered office address is 2 Union Square, Darlington DL1 1GL. Information Commissioner's Office Reference ZA097601. VAT number GB225118634. Rangewell is an appointed representative of MACCapital Limited (Company No. 01267885) which are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA Registration 742543). Our Head Office is based at 1 Fore Street, London, EC2Y 9DT.